| Author | Message | ||
     Carrie Johnson |
Dear Group- I am a new member and joining on unfortunate circumstances. First, let me introduce myself and my babies. I have three ferrets, Cujo (4yrs female), Jubei (4yrs male), and Nani (3yrs female). My name is Carrie, I'm 22 living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. My ferrets have been my life since I left home and I just don't know what I would do without them. They have truly been great friends to me. Cujo, my first ferret is a sweet little dainty thing that hardly lives up to her name (which is what makes it funny!). She has never given me a bit of trouble. Jubei is the second in command and is a perpetual medical miracle. My first roommate (and ex-roommate)got made at him for hiding her channel changer (believe it or not) and literally threw him against the wall and broke his front left leg. He was just a baby still and for the first part of his life had to have his arm casted to his stomach. I had to try to keep him as still as possible, a true feat indeed. Then later in life he developed the dreaded adrenal disease and not long after that diagnosis developed a kidney stone. His bladder was blocked and he developed an ulcer from all the straining. He was literally at deaths door but my wonderful vet brought him back and encouraged me to keep fighting. He is now over 3lbs, with a full coat of hair, and responding well to Lupron. Nani is the baby of the group and the escape artist. I have to tie pipe cleaners around the perimeter of the cage door. She has learned to untie those now, so I'm in the process of devising a new barrier method. But on to the depressing news. I'm looking for advice on treatment, support if there is none, and friends to help me if the time comes that I have to help my friend die. Cujo has had adrenal disease since Jan. and has been treated with monthly injections of Lupron. She was doing well with plenty of energy, but for two months it seems she's been slowly losing hair again. Her rectum also prolapsed on Thursday. This past Friday my vet felt an enlarged mass and suggested an ultrasound. The ultrasound came back with bad news. Her right adrenal gland has an enormous tumor on it that is invading into her vena cava. Its about 1/2 to 3/4 the way in. She also has a small cyst on her kidney and the prolapsed rectum. Despite all that she has the energy of a baby ferret, chasing the other two and my dog around the house. All her blood work came back great, with a slight anemia (this comes with adrenal disease). I'm putting aloe vera with lidacane on her rectum and keeping that clean, but for now I don't know what to do about everything else. When Jubei weighed almost 1/2lbs and was literally on deaths door, it was my vet that told me there was still something that could be done, he could still be brought back. This time though, my vets leaning towards the path of doing very little, and making Cujo comfortable. She said that the surgery would be very long and involved and Cujo could die on the table. They might not be able to get all of the tumor because of how far in it has traveled. There is also the possiblity of hyperplasia of the left adrenal gland and then a whole new tumor. If I follow the path of least resistance and just spoil her rotten (though she already is) and let her live out her life, my vet estimated 6 months at the most, though it's hard to say. I'm so overwhelmed. Please give me advice, words of wisdom, support. Carrie Johnson Baton Rouge, LA | ||
| Ingrid |
Carrie, What a special caregiver you are! Here's where I try the bloodroot internally. There is nothing to lose, and when it works, it's fantastic. One never knows if it will work or not, but it's obviously worth a try. I wish you and your furry family a safe passage through this trauma. |
